A casino, also known as a gambling house or a gaming establishment, is a place where people can gamble. Most casinos offer a variety of games, including card games like poker and blackjack, roulette, craps, and baccarat. Some casinos also have video arcades, and restaurants.

Gambling is a popular pastime in many cultures worldwide, and there are hundreds of casino destinations to choose from. These include Las Vegas and Atlantic City, as well as smaller casino-hotels in cities like Reno and Sioux Falls. Additionally, some states have legalized casinos.

Most casinos make their money through the sale of gambling chips and the resulting winnings to patrons. They may also generate revenue through food, drinks, entertainment and other venues, but the breadwinner of most casinos is the casino game floor. Every casino game has a mathematical probability against a player winning, which is called the house edge. This advantage varies by game, but it ultimately helps ensure that casinos do not lose money to players over time.

Casinos employ a number of security measures to deter cheating and theft. These may include video cameras, “chip tracking” systems that monitor betting patterns minute by minute and alert the casino if any abnormalities occur, and automated systems in table games such as roulette that check each spin for accuracy.

Because of the large amounts of money handled, both patrons and employees may be tempted to cheat or steal, either in collusion or independently; as such, casino security is a high priority. In addition, most casinos have staff members who can help with problem gambling, and each state has its own hotlines and support resources.